Sanitary ware for bathroom

moonpenny

I am looking for advice on sanitary ware for a bathroom refit.
Can someone explain the pros and cons of "open back" or "closed back" for a "back to wall" toilet and cistern and which is the better option?

Similarly, wash basin pedestals, "semi padastal" or "full padastal?

Millerdog

From my own personal view. I chose a back to the wall toilet and cistern because it is easier from a cleaning perspective... you don't get dust bunnies lurking behind it! Also all of the pipework is concealed and looks more aesthetically pleasing especially if there is a side on view. I also chose a semi pedestal basin because I felt it made the room look more spacious, seeing the floor tricks the eye.


I fully expect a Plumber to come along and tell you the opposite as both are more time consuming to install

moonpenny

If it is a closed back on the wc would it be a big problem if anything goes wrong with toilet?
The semi pedestal question - I didn't realize it meant half pedestal (off the floor)

Doozergirl

No. The same things need doing. Plumbing is pretty uninteresting, I'mmore concerned with what it looks like and day-to-day cleaning, hence I'd choose a closed back all day every day.

Semi ped is off the floor. Similar price, slightly more labour, more expensive look as you're hiding pipes.

moonpenny

Doozergirl wrote: »

No. The same things need doing. Plumbing is pretty uninteresting, I'mmore concerned with what it looks like and day-to-day cleaning, hence I'd choose a closed back all day every day.

Semi ped is off the floor. Similar price, slightly more labour, more expensive look as you're hiding pipes.

Yes I prefer the closed back for reasons you mentioned and if its no more of a problem to fix than the other type that's great.
Am i correct in thinking that the semi pedestal basin would need a frame and therefore a false back wall?

Andy123.

Nope no frame needed for a semi per. Just make sure you have fixings in the wall to secure it all to.

moonpenny

Andy123. wrote: »

Nope no frame needed for a semi per. Just make sure you have fixings in the wall to secure it all to.

Sorry for all the questions.
What sort of fixings would you recommend?
Can hardly believe it would be strong enough without a frame

jk0

I'm just renovating a flat with a continental 'back to wall' wc pan. You can read about my trials & tribulations here:


https://forums.landlordzone.co.uk/forum/energy-efficiency-epc-design-repair-improve/1025992-more-builder-s-bungles-to-repair

Doozergirl

That's a close-coupled, closed back toilet. It's not a back to wall.

JohnB47

We had a bathroom refit a few years ago and went for a closed back WC against a cabinet that spanned the whole wall. The cabinet houses the cistern. It's good but we wish we had gone for a loo that was completely off the floor, to allow for easier cleaning of the tiled floor.

Doozergirl

JohnB47 wrote: »

We had a bathroom refit a few years ago and went for a closed back WC against a cabinet that spanned the whole wall. The cabinet houses the cistern. It's good but we wish we had gone for a loo that was completely off the floor, to allow for easier cleaning of the tiled floor.

It adds at least another £250 to the cost of the toiletplus extra labour. I'm not entirely convinced it's worth it. There's still an awkwardness - you have to get on hands and knees to clean the underside of the toilet as well as the floor.